AJ’s Chocolate Filled Soft Pretzel Bites

Cooking with AJ is a special post that features recipes that I make with the kiddos. I love making pretzels with them and they thought of a fun addition to the recipe. We bring you AJ’s Chocolate Filled Soft Pretzel Bites!!

In a large bowl for your mixer, mix 2 Tablespoons warm water with yeast to dissolve.
Stir in remaining warm water and brown sugar.
Using the dough hook, gradually add the flour until it forms a ball.
Turn out onto a work surface and knead until smooth.
Preheat your oven to 475 degrees
Spray 2 baking sheets with non-stick spray.
Bring 2 quarts water and the baking soda to a boil.
Cut dough into golf ball-size pieces, press the ball in your hand, add a few chocolate chips to the center and then cover the chocolate with dough, roll into a ball
Boil for 30 seconds, then drain and place on baking sheet.
Sprinkle with kosher salt.
Bake for 8 minutes or until golden brown.
TIPS: after making this recipe many times. I found I like to put an egg wash on the pretzels for a better color.

* I also take 2 TBSP. of butter melt it and add about ½ tsp. table salt mix and put on pretzels with a pastry brush after they come out of the oven. I don’t keep kosher salt on hand so this works fine as a substitute.

* water temp needs to be 110 for the yeast, it can’t be too cold or too hot, 110 degrees is just right.